The music industry has seen numerous changes in the decades since it started, especially over the past 20 years. Technological advances have allowed musicians to record and release songs faster and to a larger audience, which has led to a need for artists to become savvy business people. We’ve compiled a list of 10 famous singers of all time, highlighting how they’ve changed their music business and marketing strategies.
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and one of the most recognizable public figures of the twentieth century. Michael Jackson was born in August 1958; Michael Jackson was a leading and multi-talented musician, singer, and entertainer. He is considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Michael Jackson was an immensely talented musician and songwriter. He rose to fame in the 1960s as a pop and R&B performer.
With a career that spanned four decades, Jackson influenced popular culture and was among the first artists to popularize videos with MTV. Throughout his career, Jackson sold nearly 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is one of the most celebrated singers of all time, with his music influencing generations of musicians and continues to resonate with fans of all ages. Presley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1977 and was voted one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. In 2015, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, making him the only artist to be inducted into multiple halls of fame simultaneously.
Freddie Mercury
Freddy Mercury was one of the most creative singers. His songs were fun and thought-provoking, and his stage performances were nothing short of amazing. His songs featured lyrics and music that spoke to everyone, whether they were young or old, male or female.
For almost four decades, Freddie Mercury (who died at the age of 45 in 1991) was the biggest rock legend in the world. His music wove its way through many genres, from pop to opera, but his crowning achievement was Queen, where he fronted the band and penned more than 300 of their hits.
Prince
Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor whose career spanned more than 30 years. Prince achieved international fame in the 1970s when he released his first album, For You. His musical style incorporated funk, soul, rock, and jazz elements, and he became a popular figure in the Minneapolis music scene. Prince rose to fame as a performer with a flamboyant lifestyle, and today, the internet is filled with memes celebrating his costumes and outlandish stage shows.
When most people think of Prince, their mind immediately goes to his music. After all, his songs have helped millions deal with life’s trials and tribulations and inspired others to follow their dreams. But while Prince often sang about love, his music also reflects his troubled life: he faced his fair share of tragedy, addiction, and loss.
Mariah Carey
How many singers can you name off the top of your head? Mariah Carey is, without a doubt, one of the most famous singers of all time. Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. She has earned 18 Grammy Awards throughout her career. She first rose to fame in 1990 with her debut album Mariah Carey, which sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Since then, Carey has sold over 100 million records worldwide, won multiple Grammys, and more.
Carey began her career as a dancer and rose to prominence in the late 1990s. In addition to her career as a singer, she also starred in several films. Her hits include “Vision of Love,” “Hero,” and “We Belong Together,” among others. She has sold more than 150 million records worldwide and has won 24 Grammy Awards. Carey has also had a successful career as a philanthropist, having created The Me. I Am Mariah … The Elusive Chanteuse Foundation supports education, the arts, and healthcare.